Chemical Formula and Equation

Question 1

(a) Diagram 9 shows the set up of the apparatus to determine the empirical formula
of oxide of metal M. M is less reactive than hydrogen.

(i) State two precautions that must be taken in Part A while carrying out the
experiment.
[2 marks]

(ii) Suggest a suitable chemical substance for X in Part B and state the function
of X.
[2 marks]

(iii) Describe the reaction that occurs in Part C.

[2 marks]

(iv) Information below shows the results of the experiment.

Determine the empirical formula of the oxide of M.

[Relative atomic mass of O =16 , M = 207 ]

Question 2

a) You are supplied with a sample of an oxide of metal M in powder form. M oxide can be reduced to
metal M when it is heated with hydrogen gas. The colour of the oxide is black while the colour of metal.
M is brown. With the help of label diagram describe an experiment to determine the empirical
formula of M oxide. State the observation and the precaution to be taken in this experiment. In you
answer show how the empirical formula of the metal oxide can be calculated (Relative atomic mass of
0:16, M:64)
[14 marks]

b) Explain whether the formula of aluminium oxide can be determined by the same method as in (a).
If not suggest a suitable method to determine the empirical formula of aluminium oxide.
[6 marks]
 Sample answer:

i) a) Make sure the end of thistle funnel is dip into the acid solution.
b) Excess zinc is use and acid have to add from time to time so that the supply
of hydrogen gas is continue.
ii) Anhydrous Calcium Chloride. It is use to absorb moisture of hydrogen gas.
iii) Dry hydrogen gas reacts with hot oxide of metal M to produce metal M and water.
iv) Mass of metal M = 102.02 g - 52.34 g = 49.68g
Mass of oxygen = 105.86 g - 102.02 g = 3.84 g
Mole of M = 49.68 g / 207 = 0.24 mole
Mole of O = 3.84 g/ 16 = 0.24 mole
Mole ratio, M : O = 1 : 1
Empirical formula = MO

a)
Material: Zinc, dilute sulphuric acid, M oxide powder, anhydrous calcium chloride.
Apparatus: thistle funnel, round bottom flask, u-tube, heating tube, test tube, Bunsen
burner, stopper, delivery tube, retort stand and clamp, electronic balance, asbestos
paper, spatula, wooden splinter.

Procedure: Copper (II) oxide

Burning of
H2
Thistle funnel powder
Asbestos paper
Dry H2
gas Burning tube
Heat

Anhydrous calcium
Hydrochloric
chloride
acid zinc

1. A heating tube with an empty asbestos paper in it is weighed. The weight is

recorded.
2. A spatula of M oxide powder is placed in the asbestos paper. The heating tube
with its content is weighed again. The weight is recorded.
3. Dry H2 gas is passed through the tube for a few minutes to expel all the air.
4. M oxide is then heated strongly and the H2 gas that exits through the end of the
heating tube is lighted.
5. All the observations are recorded. The heating was stopped when no any reaction
take place.
6. A continuous stream of H2 gas is allowed to pass through the tube until it is cold.
7. The heating tube and its contents are weighed. The weight is recorded.
8. The heating, cooling and weighing process is repeated until a constant weight is
obtained.
Observations:
i) M Oxide glows when H2 gas passes through.
ii) The black colour powder change to brown after reaction.
Precaution :
i) H2 gas is passed through the tube for a few minutes to expel all the air before
heat the M oxide. This is to avoid explosion.
ii) The heating, cooling and weighing process is repeated until a constant weight
is obtained to make sure all M oxide completely reacted.
Result:
Substances Mass
Heating tube + asbestos paper a
Heating tube + asbestos paper + M oxide b
Heating tube + asbestos paper + metal M c
Metal M c-a
Oxygen b-c

Calculation:
Element M O
mass (g) c-a b-c
Number of mole c-a b-c
64 16
Mole ratio p q

Therefore, empirical formula of M oxide is MpOq.

b. The formula of aluminium oxide cannot be determine by using method in (a)
because aluminium is reactive than Hydrogen. The empirical formula of aluminium
oxide can be determine by oxidize aluminium by using oxygen gas. The empirical
formula of aluminium oxide can be determine by using method below:
1. A crucible with lid contain a piece of asbestos paper is weighed by using a
electronic balance and the reading is recorded.
2. A piece of aluminium is polished with sand paper.
3. The aluminium is then place in the asbestos paper in crucible and the mass is
weighed.
4. The crucible is heated with Bunsen burner until the aluminium start to burn. The lid
of crucible is lifted at intervals to allow oxygen enter crucible and close immediately
to avoid aluminium oxide formed to escape.
5. When aluminium is completely burnt, the crucible, lid and its contain is cooled and
weighed. The reading is recorded.
6. The processes of heating, cooling and weighing are continue until a constant weight
obtained.
7. Calculate the mass of aluminium and oxygen by using the reading obtain.
Determine mole of aluminium and oxygen and lastly calculate their mole ratio to
obtain empirical formula.